HAPPY NEW YEAR

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2025

Before I start, I should issue some disclaimers. I am a long-term member of both the ADS and the USEF. I have contributed to both over the years as my means allow. I am Safe Sport certified and I am a long-term member of the USDF.  So I think it’s fair to say that I am neutral in regards to any inter organizational disputes.

If you asked me a year ago, or even longer, I would have been very surprised if this article would be necessary, as I would have felt that long before January 1,2026 this dispute would  have been resolved. What I’m talking about is the deep schism between the ADS and the USEF.

The disciplines of Eventing and Dressage , to name two, have coexisted with the USEF for many years. As a result, maximum benefits have been provided for their members. Such is not the case with the discipline of Carriage Driving! Because of the inability of leadership of both societies to perform their basic duties , an already fragile discipline finds itself weakened by loss of numbers and benefits. As a result,shows and competitions are becoming fewer and more expensive and competitors must learn  new sets of rules including new dressage tests depending upon which governing body is sanctioning the competition at hand. This is totally unacceptable! It is ridiculous to even acknowledge that this was allowed to happen

in the first place. if there is any finger-pointing to be done, I would suggest that each person in leadership in both the USEF and the ADS stand in front of the nearest mirror and point away. Not that that will do any good.

Let’s get this mess straightened out. While looking in the mirror, leadership should ask what exactly is their duty to their membership. I would give to you that their duty is to protect the discipline not divide it in half. For this reason they should sit down together without delay and come to an agreement that is acceptable to both sides after some give-and-take so the maximum can be given to the membership and by doing so to this precious discipline. This will involve doing business with someone they may not like, may not agree with, and may not even respect. So be it. The main reason to respect the leaders in any organization, and certainly these organizations qualify, is their ability to rise above personal pettiness, and do the hard negotiations and make the hard decisions.

So get to it.

Peace

Dick Close

Limekiln, PA